Import (memo-length) Text Into Access 2002

Hi,

I am having trouble importing text records into a simple Access 2002 database. I’d be grateful for any help; it would save me hours and hours of manual cut-and-paste from Word into Access!

The records I want to import are text passages which originate in Word. Within some records you might find more than one paragraph. I want that formatting preserved. I signify the end of a record with a “#” character.

I create an Access database consisting of two fields: a) one called "Item" for the text records, with the data type set to memo so it can handle long text passages, and b) one for the primary key ID, which when prompted I let Access create automatically.

Here’s what happens when I try to import the data to my “Item” field”. First, I cut and paste all my original text from Word into Notepad. Then in Access I go File / Get External Data, and then choose Import, and choose Text as the data type. In the ensuing wizard under the Advanced tab I choose the option for delimitation by a specified character, and make “#” that character, and I speciy that I want the data to go into the "Item" field as memo data type. I then finish the wizard.

Sometimes I get error messages that not all data imports successfully, due to key violations, and when I check, nothing has been imported. Other times I just get a message saying it didn't work out. It's never worked.

Here are the records I'm trying to import from Notepad:

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

#

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

#

ccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc

cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc ccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc

cccccccccccccccc

#

ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

#

(end of records)

I've tried two other forums but none of the suggestions work. There must be some way to do this other than by manual cut and paste. Any advice?